(Le Mars) — “The Fire Department watches the community and so the community should watch over the fire department”. That’s how Duane McLay of Emily’s Home Furnishing of Le Mars explains why he recently donated two beds complete with box springs and mattresses to the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department. The beds were delivered to the fire station on Friday morning.
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Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the fire department is grateful, not only for the bed donation by Emily’s, but for all the contributions and donations whether it be financial, or an in-kind contribution from various Le Mars businesses. Schipper says the beds were needed because the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Station is now a fire house with at least one member of the fire department always residing for one night at the fire station. Schipper says the fire department had been using old used mattresses that were picked up at a rummage sale. Schipper talks about how the fire department has a budget for food expenses when the entire volunteer crew gather on Wednesday evenings for training sessions. However, according to Schipper, he has not had a need to use much of the appropriated funds for food expenses because many area restaurants and caterers donate food to the fire brigade. The Le Mars fire chief says “one night it may be Taco Johns, another night it may be Bob’s Drive Inn, or pizza from one of the many pizza places in town”. Last month, Timmy’s catering stepped up to donate a complete meal to the fire and rescue squad. This past Wednesday, the fire department was treated to authentic Italian pizza made from a fire oven by Dan and Deb Ritz of the new Catalona’s Pizza.
In the coming weeks, a new mural will be painted on the north outside wall of the fire station at a cost of nearly $3,000. But none of that expense is coming from the tax payer or the city budget, several community businesses and industries have secured the financing of the project. Going back to the beds, McLay says the in-kind donation is a top quality bed valued at about $600.
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He says he has received so much from the community, and in fact the donation is not just from his business, but from the people of Le Mars.
